Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has said that while terrorism must be condemned, sports should continue, as he voiced support for India’s scheduled Asia Cup 2025 fixture against arch-rivals Pakistan.
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) last week unveiled the complete schedule for the much-anticipated continental tournament, confirming that India and Pakistan will face off on September 14 in the United Arab Emirates.
Ganguly, commenting on the upcoming clash, maintained that recent tragic events should not hinder the continuity of sports. “What happened in Pahalgam should never happen, but we can’t let that stop the game. Terrorism must end. It’s in the past now. Sport must go on,” he said.
The remarks come amid mounting calls from Indian media outlets demanding the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reconsider playing Pakistan following the recent militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. However, the BCCI has so far not made any official statement supporting a boycott.
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According to sources familiar with internal developments, the BCCI had already given formal approval during a recent ACC meeting in Dhaka to proceed with the tournament as planned. With India named as the official host of the Asia Cup, officials have reportedly ruled out the possibility of withdrawing from the high-profile fixture.
“The BCCI cannot withdraw from the tournament or the match now. The decision was agreed upon after the ACC meeting. Since India is the host nation, nothing can be changed at this stage,” a senior official said.
The India-Pakistan fixture is expected to draw millions of viewers globally, making it one of the most significant contests of the tournament. Despite the charged political climate, cricketing authorities appear committed to ensuring that the match goes ahead without disruption.
The Asia Cup 2025, scheduled to begin on September 9 with a curtain-raiser between Afghanistan and Hong Kong, will feature eight teams and follow the T20 format. The tournament also serves as a key warm-up event ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will begin their campaign against Oman on September 12, before taking on the UAE in their final group-stage match on September 17.
